I saw a recommendation for this book and couldn’t resist. It’s the story of a young wife, mom and college professor who stares down the barrel of a Stage IV cancer diagnosis. Doesn’t it sound like something you would immediately be drawn to? Although not a light and breezy summer beach read, I’m so thankful I found it. The author records beautifully the wonderful moments, painful experiences and seeming injustices of life as she fights for hers. Kate Bowler writes with honesty, wit and the bluntness I assume only one dying obtains as she questions doctors, God and well-intentioned friends and relatives.
While a student at Yale Divinity School, Bowler wrote her doctoral dissertation entitled Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel. THIS is what propels her current book from poignant memoir to fascinating study of human emotions and reasoning. The infamous prosperity gospel promises health, wealth and happiness to those who pray enough, have faith enough and sin little. Churches all over the country preach this message and Kate sat in many and interviewed preachers and parishioners of many others for her first book. But just a few years after, she can’t reconcile these teachings to herself and her young family as they battle her incurable illness. In her infirmary, she receives letters from all over the country written by people of varying theologies. Some preaching that she is somehow spiritually lacking because she is suffering. Others weathering storms of their own who’ve been further crushed under the weight of well-meaning folks insisting that gut-wrenchingly painful situations could simply disappear if he/she was somehow a better Christian.
Bowler’s title question begged me to respond, if for no other reason than the personal confirmation of my own faith. Does everything really happen for a reason? I can tell you that you won’t find that phrase in the Bible. On the surface, I think this belief can make us feel better. If you don’t spend too much time exploring it, this philosophy might help “make sense” of some seemingly senseless things. But some things really are beyond all reason. Cancer in children. Sex-trafficking of innocents. 9/11. There is no “reason” that makes sense of these unless that “reason” is simply that we live in a sinful and fallen world. So there is no comfort in it if the reason isn’t good.
So where is our comfort when the pain defies logic? Romans 8:28. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” NASB We may not always know why something happened, but the Bible tells us that God can, and will make good things happen from it. Through the lens of pain and our limited human vision, it may take a while to see the good, but good WILL come. It’s a promise.
Thank you for the wonderful book recommendation, Lauren. I have never been a fan of the “prosperity gospel”, and I think anyone who suggests that someone is stricken with stage IV cancer due to moral failings on their part should do some soul searching. This is not the message of Christianity (or it shouldn’t be).
You ask a good question – why is there suffering in the world? The best answer I can find is “not as the world gives do I give to you”. I think it is not for us to understand.
That’s so hard sometimes, isn’t it Laurie? Thanks so much for engaging!
I found this book as I recovered from surgery after having been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Her story helped me put words around my own experience. God is good all the time, even when suffering and disease change the trajectory of our lives. I think her insight is important for anyone living in Christian community. Life is hard and living in proximity to pain and suffering can be devastating, but it is also required as part of the body of Christ. We can lean into suffering with our whole hearts, or minimize it with our platitudes.
So wise, Debra. Thank you.
Seeking to find a reason for suffering, as in “did this man sin or his parents?”, is probably as old as the fall of man. Knowing that God promises to never every leave us, forsake us, or let us go whatever may come – priceless!
Yes, Elizabeth. Brilliantly put. Thank you.
This sounds like an incredibly thought-provoking book! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I hope you will visit again this week. Have a lovely week, Lauren.
Thank you, April.
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for that review, it comes down to trust in God when the hard times come & when we also enjoy the good times!
Jennifer
Yes!
Thank you for the book recommendation. It looks good. I don’t believe all things happen for a reason but I do know God will use it all for good if we are willing.
Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up.
Yes!
Lauren, thank you so much for your thoughtful and thorough review of this book. It sounds like one I need to put on my to read list. I am sadden by the stance some Christians take that others are sick because they aren’t good enough, praying enough or doing the right things. I’m pretty sure Jesus set us straight about all that wrong thinking when He healed the man and the “religious” leaders wanted to know whose sin had caused his condition. As a pastor and ministry leader, this book sounds very insightful for aiding in speaking to others and helping them navigate deal with painful or difficult situations they may find themselves in.
I think it would be. Thanks for weighing in, Debbie.
A good reminder.
I’m pinning this and adding it to my reading wish list. I’ve often repeated that line myself but the point is well taken — we won’t always find a logical reason this side of heaven. Yet, we know that God is always working things out according His plan.
Blessings to you!
I think you will enjoy it. Thanks, Marva.
Thanks for sharing this review. It sounds like a helpful book. There’s an important difference between believing God causes everything to happen for a reason and believing that he can work for good in all things.
Absolutely, Lesley. Thank you for reading and engaging!
I agree wholeheartedly. I actually don’t like it when people say that to me or other people for comfort. I find it not comforting at all. Thanks for taking the words out of my mind. Thanks for stopping by #trafficjamweekend
As a Christian mental health therapist, I’ve had many clients sitting on my couch crushed by the words of “prosperity gospel” – as they then have come to believe they are not a “good enough” Christian because they are struggling/suffering from mental health issues.
2 Corinthians 5:7 I will walk by faith even when I cannot see.
That is faith and trust in God in all seasons of our life, even when we cannot see the rhyme or reason behind the pain. But it is to know that we serve a loving and good God.
Yes we do. Thank you for commenting, Melissa.
We may never know the reason for our pain. Or maybe we will. But God always has a plan and it is usually to bring us closer to Him. I love this verse you shared from Romans. It always helps me to take a step back and see how God is working in my life. Yes, He can cause good and bad things to benefit us in the end. Praying for you Lauren and those who have left comments. Blessings!
Thank you, Connie.
It is so hard to explain some of the things we get to experience and see, yet we are called not to lean on our own understanding but to trust God completely and set out hope in Him.
Thanks for the book recommendation and thought-provoking post!
Not trusting our own understanding can be so hard, but so crucial to peace. Thank you, Axia.
I read this book and I can appreciate the author’s viewpoint. Romans 8:28 is being bashed (it seems to be a trend) because as humans we want the reason for everything to make sense to us and it often doesn’t. We literally forget about the sovereignty of God in our challenging circumstances but remember it during our good circumstances. And that was never the point. God is God. Stuff happens. If we believe He is in control we look up to Him always.
It was a good read but I wish it reinforced the sovereignty of God more.
Interesting. I didn’t find it Romans 8:28 bashing at all. Funny how we can get two different things reading the same book. I did agree with you that more Jesus would have made the book even better. Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Sounds like a great book! When my dad battled his illness and eventually went home to be with the Lord, Romans 8:28 was what got our family through those tough times. When life doesn’t make sense, all we have to hold onto are His promises. Thanks for sharing!
I am so sorry for your loss, Christin. Isn’t it wonderfully comforting to know you will be reunited? Thanks for visiting.